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Erith, Greater London (On-site)
£32,000 per year
Full-time
Permanent
Job description
IPS – Employment support
For people who need mental health support, getting back into work is a vital step on their recovery journey. The evidence backs this up, but although 90% of people with severe mental illness want to work, only 8% of them are in paid employment.
If you would like to join our team and champion our mission and help people who need employment support to get back into work. You will be supporting clients who are under the care of Secondary Mental Health services to gain and retain paid employment and will be based within a clinical team.
This is an incredibly rewarding role. You'll have the opportunity to transform the lives of clients, to give them hope, direction and support with their recovery journey alongside other key professionals. This is also a challenging role, so you’ll need to be empathetic, adaptable and dedicated to finding clients a role that’s right for them.
As an Employment Specialist, you’ll build a good rapport with your clients, gaining a real understanding of their key skills, their aspirations and their career goals and finding them opportunities to match. You'll also spend time building productive relationships with employers in order to identify and negotiate job opportunities in the hidden labour market.
Successful applicants for this post will receive training in the IPS approach, giving you the tools, you need to provide expert support and advice to clients, staff within your clinical team (e.g. Psychiatrist, Social Workers or Mental Health Nurse), while also building positive relationships with employers, opening doors and changing perceptions around mental health.
We welcome applications from people with personal experience of using mental health services.
Job Summary
To provide support into employment for people with mental health problems including:
· Managing a caseload of clients who wish to return to paid work, enabling them to find or retain employment by liaising with work and training providers, accessing benefits advice and by personally providing on-going support to clients in job search and after gaining employment, in accordance with evidence based supported employment practice such as the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment.
· Link with local employers and voluntary bodies in order to secure employment opportunities within the community
· Pro-actively support and motivate clients in obtaining employment opportunities
· Provide on-going support according to both the employee’s and employer’s needs to enable clients to both gain and retain employment.
Key responsibilities
· To work in partnership with individuals to support them in finding paid employment, or taking steps towards this.
· To develop strong links with other agencies such as voluntary, statutory and businesses in the development of work opportunities for clients.
· To support Community Mental Health Team colleagues with information about work and training opportunities.
· To report on outcome measures for the service.
· To provide monitoring/audit information to the Senior IPS Employment Specialist responsible for Employment Services.
Main duties
· Manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems who wish to work.
· Prepare individuals for employment by assessing each person’s individual vocational needs which might typically include identifying strengths, help with benefits, support networks, travel to work plans, etc.
· Co create employment action plans with the individual, and provide this to the care co-ordinator and other professionals where appropriate.
· Assist individuals in job search and prepare them to apply for employment/education, liaising with colleagues as required e.g. Disability Employment Advisors, Jobcentre Plus, DWP contract providers and local colleges.
· Contact and meet with employers to identify job opportunities for individual clients.
· Have a proactive approach in developing jobs tailored to suit individual clients’ needs by contacting local employers, discussing mutual requirements and negotiating opportunities.
· Accompany job seekers to interviews if required.
· Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual and provide job retention interventions to people at risk of losing their employment, negotiating adjustments to the job role with employers to enable the person to retain their employment.
· Support clients in the workplace by supporting them to learn the job role if necessary, and/or negotiating with employers to adapt the role at the start of employment or if difficulties arise in the workplace.
· Identify any barriers for return to work and develop appropriate strategies to overcome those barriers for clients who wish to gain or retain open employment maintaining a positive attitude to addressing challenges.
· Contribute to the opportunities for an individual’s increased social inclusion by developing partnership working with voluntary sector agencies, and linking with primary care employment and job retention initiatives.
· Promote the Mindful Employer initiative and best practice in mental health and employment within the mental health services and in other organisations in the local area.
· Maintain and develop close links with referrers, care co-ordinators and Community
· Regularly attend Team meetings.
· Complete data monitoring sheets and keep accurate caseload records.
· Maintain high standards of personal development and undertake further training as may be required.
· Undertake regular supervision and annual appraisal.
· Undertake other duties as may reasonably be required by the organisation
Person specification
Qualifications and experience
Essential
· Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
· Experience/understanding of working with people with mental health support needs, or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector
· Experience of working with someone on a one-to-one basis
· Experience of managing multiple tasks at any one time
Desirable
· Trained in IPS approach
· Experience of supporting people to obtain or keep work
· Experience of working within health, social services or voluntary sector with people who have experienced mental health problems.
· Experience of working assertively to influence decision makers
· Own personal lived experience of recovery from mental health difficulties
· Previous experience of delivering a service using the IPS model is a bonus
· Proven experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets
Skills and knowledge
Essential
· An understanding of the employment needs, and challenges faced by people who experience mental health difficulties
· Developing a knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs
· Able to use IT systems, databases and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel
· Strong motivational, communication and listening skills
· Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with a range of people
· Good organisational ability
· Natural ability to build close, trusting and productive relationships with people
· Team orientated and able to work collaboratively within a mixed-disciplinary team
· Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop and promote a service
Desirable
· Knowledge of DWP and disability/employment related benefits
· Knowledge of good practice in employment legislation protecting Disability and Equality
Interviews will take place on 14th, 16th and 21st April 2026.
Application Instructions
Email CV and Cover letter or supporting statement
Organisation
Posted on: 17 March 2026
Closing date: 10 April 2026 at 16:35
Tags: Advice / Information, Employment
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
£27,375 per annum (if based in Bristol, Nottingham, Newcastle, Manchester), 30,025 (if based in London)
Full-time
Permanent
Job description
Key Information:
LOCATION: Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, London and Manchester (hybrid working pattern). We are prioritising applications for the Nottingham and Newcastle locations in line with our regional development strategy.
HOURS: 37.5 hours per week (flexible working around core hours of 10am-4pm)
START DATE: 10th August 2026
DURATION: 18-month graduate programme with optional apprenticeship opportunity upon completion. Permanent contract from August 2026.
SALARY: £27,375 per annum (Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham and Newcastle), £30,025 (London).
DEADLINE: Thursday 2nd April at 12pm (noon).
The application process: written application > video interview > assessment centre.
Assessment Centres will take place between 20th April and 8th May 2026. They will be conducted on Zoom and consist of 3 tasks: An interview, a written exercise and a group task (with up to 3 other candidates)
In keeping with upReach's mission and values we would particularly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups and those with lived experience of barriers to social mobility.
We encourage all applicants to review our Application Pack before submitting your application.
About upReach
Do you think that your socio-economic background should determine your career prospects?
upReach’s vision is of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential. Our work is important because right now a student from a disadvantaged background who gains a first-class degree from a top university is less likely to secure an elite job than a more privileged student with a 2.2.
We are an award-winning charity employer working to address this issue in partnership with employers and universities. We help undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds achieve their career potential by providing an intensive programme of support that addresses socio-economic barriers to graduate employment.
To find out more about how we support our students, visit our website and read our Annual Report, and Impact Report.
About the FCLP
upReach is recruiting for our unique Future Charity Leaders Programme (FCLP). This is a great opportunity for anyone who is passionate about social mobility, and looking to gain exposure to various aspects of charity management whilst working with university students who are exploring their career options. We welcome applications from those in the corporate world who are looking for a career change as well as recent graduates wanting to kick-start their career in the third sector.
upReach’s Future Charity Leaders Programme (FCLP) combines delivery work (supporting our Associates) with exposure to a range of aspects of charity management.
As a Programme Coordinator on the FCLP, you will deliver personalised, employment-focused support to a cohort of approximately 80 Associates, helping to transform their lives by equipping them with the necessary skills to secure a top graduate job. During a typical week, you should expect to be working across a range of projects including:
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1:1 undergraduate coaching
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Events organisation
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Application support
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Partnership management (with university partners or employer partners)
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and more!
In addition to this, the programme offers the opportunity to develop skills in key areas of charity management by participating in 3 rounds of six-month 'rotations' across different functions. After your initial 18 months and the completion of 3, six-month rotations, you will have the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship in Leadership and Management to further develop your skills and gain a level 3 qualification.
Throughout the programme, you will receive dedicated internal training developing your leadership skills and building your confidence in the role.Through our partnership with The Circle Line, you will be part of a supportive peer group, offered regular personal development training workshops online and in-person on their '12 Tools for Life'. You will also be able to choose your own practitioner to support you in 1:1 sessions throughout the programme to help you unlock more of your unique potential.
What will I be doing?
The FCLP is a fast-paced but rewarding role. Programme Coordinators spend 80% of their time (4 days per week) working directly with Associates to enhance their career knowledge and skills and 20% (1 day per week) on a charity management rotation (or an apprenticeship after 18 months). No two days are the same, but your responsibilities may include:
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Building and maintaining strong relationships with Associates, helping them to achieve their career goals
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Developing and delivering professional development-focused support
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Individual and small group work with Associates
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Assisting Associates with their applications to undergraduate positions and graduate jobs
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Developing sector and/or employability skill knowledge while building resources to aid all Associates
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Developing and maintaining strong relationships with university and/or employer partners
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Delivering informative workshops to enhance sector knowledge and employability skills
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Planning, delivering and reporting on events and workshops with partners
When applying for this role we ask that applicants are able to commit to the full 18-month training programme, and we encourage participation in the apprenticeship scheme beyond this. As you will be working directly with our beneficiaries throughout their degree, this consistency will allow you to build bonds with your Associates and ensure continuity, thus allowing us to have the most impact for the young people we work with.
What Skills and Experience do I need?
This programme would be suited to individuals who are committed to upReach’s mission, motivated to work with undergraduates and interested in learning about, and gaining experience in, charity management. We are looking for people who are passionate about social mobility and believe that background should not be a barrier to graduate employment.
Essential Skills/Experiences:
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Working in a fast-paced environment and working independently to find solutions to problems
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Strong organisational and time management skills with a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage a varied workload
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A University degree in any discipline, or equivalent experience
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Self-motivation and an ability to work in a small team as well as solo
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Excellent communication skills and strong written English
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The ability to engage and communicate confidently with undergraduates, corporate volunteers (mentors) and employers via phone, email, and in person
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Confidence with public speaking or facilitating workshops
Desirable Skills/Experiences:
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Knowledge of the graduate labour market in the UK and experience supporting individuals through an application process
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Working in one or more of the career sectors that upReach support Associates in applying to.
Team Culture & Benefits:
By joining the upReach team, you will be joining a team who are dedicated to encouraging you in your career journey and fostering an inclusive culture.
We offer:
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Flexible working, hybrid working and reduced Summer Hours (June-August)
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Statutory Holiday Entitlement of 25 days, plus bank holidays. (This increases to 27 days entitlement after 2.5 years and then to 30 days after 5 years of working with us)
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Enhanced Parental Leave beyond statutory requirements for all team members
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1 day of Birthday leave, 1 day of Volunteering leave and discretionary annual wellbeing days
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Optional extended unpaid leave
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3% Pension Contribution, this increases to 5% after 5 years of working with us
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Cycle-to-work scheme, Tech scheme
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Monthly socials, Annual in-person Team Day
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Dedication to Staff Wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aid Training
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A range of discounts through the Charity Workers Discount and Tickets for Good websites
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The opportunity to participate in our fantastic staff networks:
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Disability and Inclusion Network
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Diverse Roots Network
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Green Network
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LGBTQ+ Network
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Mindfulness Network
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Parents and Carers Network
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Socio-Economic Background Network
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(Im)Migrants Network
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Ready to apply?
We are dedicated to making our recruitment process inclusive. All applications will be blind screened, and our job packs are available in Braille, large text or another format upon request. We can provide reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment application process and on the job, and we'll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible.
Unfortunately, upReach is unable to offer Visa Sponsorship.
Applications close at 12pm on Thursday 2nd April
Equal Opportunities
At upReach, we are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, social background or any other protected class. We celebrate and value the diverse perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our team. We are passionate about creating a workplace that is inclusive and reflects the diversity of communities across the UK. Thus, we encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities, those who are care-experienced, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those who are LGBTQIA+.
Organisation
Posted on: 09 March 2026
Closing date: 02 April 2026 at 12:00
Tags: Advice / Information, Training / Learning, Project Management, Advocacy, Education, Employment, Engagement / Outreach, Entry level / Graduate, Mentoring / Coaching, Students / School
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Does something look incorrect in this job listing?